Milo the Moose // 6 Months {Happy Half!}

Dear Milo,
Your joyful personality is contagious.
You have a natural charm and easy smile so much like your Daddy.   And there's a quality deep in your eyes that is just so him, but I can't quite put my finger on it.  It takes my breath away sometimes.

Working on teeth and watching birds out the window.

You've decided that this will be the month you take conquering milestones seriously.  You've checked rolling over, sitting up and cutting your first two teeth off the to-do list.  You're eating solids now too and haven't rejected a single thing I've given you.  In fact you cry every time I put the spoon down no matter what it is I'm feeding you.  Hey, you've got to maintain that impressive physique somehow, right? :)

You love to talk, blow razzberries and grab my face and pull it toward your open mouth for slobbery kisses.  Every morning I get to start my day with you reaching your chubby little hands up at me from your crib all while smiling and kicking wildly with excitement.
It's just...the best.

You absolutely BEAM.  For no reason at all other than being alive.  The radiant smiles pictured here took no effort on my part to conjure up.  This is your natural state of being.  And it makes me want to squeeze you all the time.

You bring so much love and light and magic to our world.

You've been a gift to all of us, Milo Byron.

My whole heart,
Momma

For your very first "Happy Half" celebration we obviously went to The Blue MOOSE!

Moose-of-the-hour at the head of the table :)

All of our babies had yogurt for the first time on their 6 month "birthday" as a special treat.  First bite...trying to figure out the new flavor :)

And now he's obsessed.

Fletcher loved the animal masks the restaurant gave out.

Milo, I also must make note of the love and friendship between you and Sullivan.  

It's stronger than ever and the most adorable thing to witness.  I think you're soulmates :)

 And here's how we spend much of our time together.  My kangaroo baby.  I didn't "wear" your brothers all that often, but it's kind of become our thing.  We vacuum, wash dishes and grocery shop all with my lips pressed against the top of your head more often than not.  You're always happy to be along for the ride.

Although I ache for the slowing down of everything I promise to love you with my arms wide open. Watching you grow is beautiful and painful and exciting and scary, but I will not hold you back.

You fill me to the brim with joy.  And there's so much more that lies ahead.

  

Stay sweet my little babe.

Max McAlister | 6 years

Dear Max,

You should be incredibly proud of the person you're growing into.  You are thoughtful and fair.  Smart and responsible.  Tender-hearted and tend to be a little hard on yourself.  You're so worried about making mistakes, but we remind you that mistakes are proof that you're trying.  And that's the only thing your Dad and I want you to do -- try!   When you get discouraged or frustrated Sullivan always chimes in "Don't give up, Max. Murray's never give up."  A little something Sully must have picked up from noticing your Dad's perseverance which I admire so much aaaand probably from observing my general stubborn nature as well.  Either way...Murray's don't give up ;)  

Witnessing you learn leaves us speechless sometimes.  You went from struggling through the words in your reader books to reading EVERYTHING.  It seemed to happen overnight.  You picked up a note I had written and read it word for word the other day.  Your Dad and I just looked at each other with wide eyes.  You amaze us.  Teaching your little brothers the Spanish words you've learned, writing numbers to 200 with ease and explaining to me the science behind how airplanes fly...your capacity for knowledge is astonishing and exciting.

You recently wrote a note to your Dad and I which thanked us for sending you to your school.  And in it you wrote that your favorite parts were attending the all-school Mass each week and chess club. You have such a precious heart. 

When we first looked into your eyes six years ago we could never have imagined the fun and fear and laughter and love that you would introduce us to.  You changed our lives and we've never looked back.  We cannot wait to see what the future holds for you.
Our hearts forever,
Momma & Dad

Here's your new ViewFinder reel for the past year.  

You were chosen to present the gifts at the all-school Mass on Ash Wednesday.  You were SO proud :)

Your first tournament! I know zero about chess, but watching you think through each move was really cool. You won two out of three matches.  Is that what they're called??

There is nothing better than seeing your kid succeed at the things they work hard for. 

 You had a Scooby Doo themed party the day before your birthday since you didn't have school that day.  You invited all the boys from your class.

We had fun making these treat bags together.

You collected donations from your friends in lieu of gifts.  This is your sixth year delivering "wish list" items to the Ronald McDonald House.

On your real birthday you opened gifts in the morning.  The Scooby reader books were the favorite thing you received.

 You were also pretty excited about the Pie Face game and the fact that you got to go see Kung Fu Panda with Dad and Sully in the afternoon.

 In the evening we had some family over for pizza and cake.  You wanted this party to be Star Wars themed...even though you've never seen Star Wars ;)

It was so sweet of you to ask Fletcher to help you blow out the candles.

SPLAT!

Another successful birthday in the books!

Happy Half, Sullivan Michael.

Just a few quick pics of Sully's "Happy Half"...our silly tradition of gathering at "their" spot on their half birthday and giving them some extra love.  

Over lunch we say things like, "Can you BELIEVE you're already halfway to your next birthday?!" and "Have we ever told you that we're SO glad you were born?".  The boys' responses are always "yes", "yes" and "Why don't I get cake?". So sentimental they are ;)  However, they did agree to continue doing our Happy Half celebrations even when they're grown-ups, so...I win.

Before we go on, can I just do this real quick? #flashback

Handsome little devil, isn't he?!

It's become tradition for Billy's Boulevard Wheat to make a cameo ;)

And a short highlight reel of the whirlwind, "Happy Half "fun:

the line-up continues to expand :)

We laughed so hard playing this game.  They were terrible, obviously.  Max said "I guess I'm not getting a drivers license anytime soon!".  Thank God. 

Max was super into the KU game.  It's already happening.

Cheers to you, Sully 4.5.

Milo // 5 Months

5 months old and life rushes on...

Dear Milo,

Even as the fast-paced world carries on around us, I take time to pause regularly in front of this mirror in your nursery.  Not only because you LOVE your reflection, but just to see us together.  To be on the outside looking in.  Who are we?  Who are we together?  What possibilities reside within you - currently tiny seeds - elements of who you're meant to be one day.  And what possibilities, small seeds yet to take root, are still inside of me?   I catch glimpses of the answers when we stop to search our reflection for what lies beneath the surface.  We're constantly changing and becoming.  One of us more noticeably than the other :)  Looking in the mirror removes the veil of the everyday rush.  It requires me to cease my constant motion for once.  And look.  Things become apparent that are not so obvious to the naked eye when hurrying through life.  In our reflection, for a moment, I can see clearly.

I see you, chubby and strong and happy. 
I see me, tired yet content.  
I see two lives with a lot left to do.
I see unwashed hair, spit-up stains and motherhood at its most ordinary.  
I see a baby at the beginning of his story, and I know without a doubt it's going to be a good one.
I see life as it is for now, but not for long.
I see what's important.
I see love.

Onward, my darling.  Next month is the bittersweet "6 Month" mark and I'm trying to be ok with that.

My whole heart,

Momma